Pre-sealed foil pouch containing such as flavored tobacco for use with a hookah pipe and head attachment assembly

ABSTRACT

A prepackaged pouch assembly for use in a hookah pipe and which includes a volume of a tobacco encapsulated within a dual layer foil including an upper layer and a lower layer, between which is defined an interior volume for containing the volume of tobacco. The foil further includes a perimeter extending and bendable rim, such as which may be intermediately supported by an inner annularly inserted and rigid support collar which is removed at the time of use. The foil package is adapted to be secured in vacuum sealing fashion over a top of an attachment head in turn secured to an upper location of the hookah pipe, and such as by folding the foil edges around the rim of the head attachment and prior to utilization of a pointed instrument for puncturing the upper and lower foil layers in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Non-Prov of Prov (35 USC 119(e)) application 60/824,846 filed on Sep. 7, 2006 and entitled PRE-SEALED POUCH CONTAINING SUCH AS FLAVORED TOBACCO FOR USE WITH A HOOKAH PIPE AND HEAT ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to water pipe (i.e. hookah pipe) assemblies, also known as “shisha”. More specifically, the present invention discloses an improved prepackaged foil assembly for enclosing a volume of such as a flavored or molasses tobacco and which dispenses with the mess associated applying molasses tobacco directly into the arcuate recess associated with a hookah head attachment bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art is documented with specific examples of attempts made to improve upon the conventional practice of applying molasses tobacco directly upon an open curved bowl interior associated with a conventional hookah pipe. Specifically, conventional applications include applying the molasses tobacco directly into the bowl, and prior to affixing, a foil layer in overlaying fashion, the foil being pinched around the outer edges of the hookah bowl. As is customarily known, holes are formed through the foil layer, such as through the use of a pin and, upon placing fit coals upon the perforated and installed foil packet layer, the molasses tobacco is smoked in a fashion conventionally known.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0207621, to Shraiber, teaches a tobacco cartridge for use with a narghile or other smoking appliance having a tobacco bowl for receiving tobacco and which include a quantity of tobacco enclosed within an enclosure having a lower end configured for applying the cartridge to the tobacco bowl of the smoking appliance. An upper end of the cartridge is openable to provide access to the tobacco for igniting the same. The upper end of the enclosure includes a metal foil which, alter openings to permit access to the tobacco for igniting, is foldable downwardly and around the tobacco bowl for securing the cartridge to the bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, the present invention discloses an improved and pre-sealed dual foil layer pouch construction, utilized with such a hookah/water pipe, and for containing a volume of a moisture laden tobacco, such as molasses or other flavored tobacco. The dual layer foil pouch construction is an improvement over prior art practices of applying a single foil overlay over a measured volume of tobacco placed directly within a concave recess associated with a clay/ceramic bowl attachment secured atop the pipe assembly, as described above and often resulting in the tobacco both fouling the vacuum intake openings defined through the concave surface of the attachment as well as burn unevenly and incompletely upon a heated charcoal briquette being positioned atop the foil.

Additional variants of the present inventions also contemplate incorporating a disk shaped collar or sleeve, this being utilized as tin underside/inside support for the dual layer foil with interior tobacco pouch. The collar is retracted from the underside of the pouch, typically following formation of the plurality of holes through the foil layers, and at the time of the foil edges being formed about the underside rim edge of the head attachment bowl.

A yet further proposed variant includes a three layer foil arrangement, with a filtration element sandwiching between lowermost and intermediate foil layers. The desired volume of molasses tobacco in turn defines a second sandwiching layer disposed between the intermediate and uppermost foil layers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a dual layer foil pouch for containing a volume of a moisture based tobacco according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the construction of the dual layer foil pouch according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembly of a hookah pipe assembly employing the dual layer foil pouch according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded subassembly illustrating the foil pouch, charcoal briquette, and pipe attachment bowl according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a subassembly cutaway as illustrated in line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the manner in which the components of FIG. 4 are arranged in use upon the hookah pipe assembly;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a disk shaped collar or sleeve utilized as an underside/inside support for the dual layer foil with interior tobacco pouch according to a yet further embodiment, and which is retracted from the underside of the pouch, typically following formation of the plurality of holes through the foil layers, at the time of the foil edges being formed about the underside rim edge of the head attachment bowl;

FIG. 7 is cutaway view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and better illustrating the cross-sectional configuration of the dual foil with interior tobacco, in cooperating use with the non-use supporting collar;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optional three layer foil pouch according to a further proposed variant, with a filtration element sandwiching between lowermost and intermediate foil layers, a desired volume of molasses tobacco in turn defining a second sandwiching layer disposed between the intermediate and uppermost foil layers.

FIG. 9 is a combined exploded and plan cutaway view of the three layer foil arrangement shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an assembled and three-dimensional/cross-sectional cutaway of the pouch assembly in FIG. 8, and in particular illustrating according to some degree of proportion the arrangement of the central tobacco containing region, relative to the triple foil and intermediately sandwiched filter portions of the foil arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an improve prepackaged/pre-sealed foil pouch construction is illustrated at 10, as will be explained as being utilized with such as a hookah/water pipe, and for containing a volume of a moisture laden tobacco, such as molasses or other flavored tobacco, see as further shown at 13 in each of FIGS. 2 and 5. The pouch construction in particular employs a dual layer (aluminum) foil, see upper layer 12 and lower perimeter connecting layer 14, collectively defining an annular extending lip or rim 16.

According to the known art, the most commonly used tobaccos (also known as tobamel or maassel) are produced according to a 1:2 ratio mixture of shredded tobacco leaf mixed with a sweetener such as honey, molasses, or semi-dried fruit. Due to the more recent popularity of flavored hookah tobaccos, manufacturers have begun to use glycerin as a primary sweetener given its humectant qualities and subtle sweetening properties that tend to accentuate the various tobacco flavorings. Today, shisha tobaccos are often mixed with dried fruit, natural extracts, and artificial flavorings to produce a varying assortment of tobacco flavors, such as apple, double and triple apple, strawberry, rose, mango, cappuccino, vanilla, coconut, cherry, grape, banana, kiwi, blueberry, tutti-frutti, Arabian coffee, mixed fruit, cola, lemon, apricot, licorice and mint, among others.

As previously explained, and as will also be further described in reference to succeeding drawing FIGS. 3-5, the dual layer foil pouch 10 is an improvement over prior art practices of applying a single foil overlay over a measured volume of moistened molasses or other flavored tobacco placed directly within a concave recess associated with a clay/ceramic bowl attachment, see as further shown at 18 in FIGS. 3-5, this in turn being secured atop the pipe assembly. Among the disadvantages associated with the conventional use of a single foil layer applied over a volume of tobacco are the tendency of the tobacco to burn unevenly and/or incompletely, as well as the tendency of tobacco particles to foul (or clog) the vacuum intake openings 22 defined through the concave surface of the hookah pipe attachment 20, see in FIG. 4, this again occurring upon a heated charcoal briquette 24 being positioned atop the foil layer.

Referring to FIG. 3, a general illustration is shown at 26 of a hookah pipe assembly according to a conventionally known design. Pertinent features of the hookah pipe 26 include at glass base 28, partially filled with water (see level 30) and in order to define a lower smoke chamber. A pipe 31 connects to the bowl by a tube 32 which extends vertically downwardly from an intermediate portion into the base at a location below the water level 28.

An upper portion includes a stand 34, from a center location extends upwardly a biasingly engageable fitting 36 (see further FIG. 5) which defines a central air/smoke passageway and which biasingly supports a lower associated end of the hookah pipe attachment 18. As previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the prepackaged foil subassembly and heated charcoal briquette are applied upon the concave upper surface of the bowl attachment 18, and such as by bending the outer annular foil rim 16 completely around the associated upper-edge of the bowl 18.

Upon puncturing a number of holes 38 completely through the foil packet (layers 12 and 14) through the use of such as a pin 40 (again FIG. 4), the briquette 24 is placed atop the upper surface 12 of the tobacco packet and lighted. The user progressively smokes the flavored tobacco 13 by drawing the same through the bottom locations of the holes 38, through the proximately positioned apertures 22 in the ceramic bowl attachment 18, into the main body interior chamber 26, through tube 32, within the interior held water reservoir, into the open interior and, finally, through the winding pipe 31 before being drawn into the user's mouth through a mouthpiece 42 (again FIG. 3).

In operation, and upon a smoker inhaling through the interior tube 32, a pressure differential forces air past the heat coal or charcoal briquette 24, this giving off smoke which is then pulled through and beyond the tobacco, through the water, and into the air of the interior smoke chamber, from which it is inhaled by the smoker. It has also been determined that passing through the water partially filters tar and nicotine from the smoke, in addition to cooling the same before inhalation.

The dual layer and prepackaged foil construction according to the present invention ensures that all of the flavored and pre-moistened tobacco is utilized, as well as burned evenly. The foil construction further prevents, as previously explained, portions of the tobacco from being fouled or lodged within the apertures 22 associated with the upper concave surface of the clay/ceramic hookah pipe bowl attachment 18.

Referring now to FIG. 6 an exploded view is shown at 44 of a combined assembly including a disk shaped collar or sleeve, see at 46, utilized as an underside/inside support for a dual layer foil with interior tobacco pouch 48, according to a yet further embodiment. The arrangement of FIG. 6 is similar to the construction of the first preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as applicable to the operation of the hookah pipe as further described in FIGS. 3-5. While not specific dimensions are required, one non-limiting variant contemplates a package assembled height of approximately 1″-1.50″ (via collar 46), as well as an outer foil diameter of 2½″ to 5.″

As better shown in the cutaway view of FIG. 7, the molasses tobacco containing pouch 48 is defined by upper 50 and lower 52 foil layers. An outer extending foil rim 54 is again illustrated. In application, the support collar 46 operates to support and maintain the integrity of the perimeter extending and bendable rim edge 54, and while the tobacco containing interior volume (again illustrated by pouch 48) is being supported upon an inner open diameter-associated with the collar.

The collar is again shown at 46 in FIG. 7 (as well as in exploded fashion in FIG. 6) and can include such as an inexpensive and disposable corrugated paper or other suitable rigid material adopting a generally ring-shape. In use, the collar 46 is retracted from the underside of the pouch, typically following formation of the plurality of holes through the foil layers (such as through the application of a needle as illustrated at 40 in FIG. 4). In a preferred application, the needle holes are formed through both the upper and lower foil layers, as well as through the intermediately located tobacco, in a central to outer perimeter fashion, following which the collar is removed and the foil edges formed about the underside rim edge of the head attachment bowl, and as again referenced previously at 18.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a collection of perspective and both cross-sectional exploded and cross-sectional cutaway views of an optional three layer foil pouch assembly 56 according to a further optional variant. Of note, the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10 exhibits a plurality of three foil layers, including a lower most layer 58, an intermediate layer 60 and an uppermost layer 62.

A generally wafer shaped filtration element 64 is provided, and such as which may include any type of particle or tar inhibiting layer is provided (contemplated to operate in a fashion similar to a cigarette filter) and which is sandwiching between the lowermost 58 and intermediate 60 foil layers. A desired volume of molasses tobacco in turn defines a second interiorly sandwiching (three-dimensional interior) layer, see at 66, and which is disposed between the intermediate 60 and uppermost 62 foil layers.

While the illustration of FIG. 8 is limited to illustrating a generally centralized region of the pouch assembly 56, FIG. 9 is a combined exploded and plan cutaway view of the three layer foil arrangement shown in FIG. 8, and which includes the edge extending and overlapping foil edges (see at 58′, 60′ and 62′, respectively), these collectively wrapping around the outer rim of the hookah head attachment and forming the requisite seal.

Finally, FIG. 10 is an assembled and three-dimensional/cross-sectional cutaway of the pouch assembly in FIG. 8, and in particular illustrating according to some degree of proportion the arrangement of the central tobacco containing region 66, relative to the triple foil 58, 60 and 62 and intermediately sandwiched filter 64 portions of the foil arrangement.

Having described our invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A prepackaged pouch assembly for use in a hookah pipe, comprising: a volume of a tobacco encapsulated within a multiple layer foil including at least an upper layer and a lower layer, between which is defined an interior volume for containing the volume of tobacco; and said foil layers further including a perimeter extending and bendable edge which is adapted to be secured in vacuum sealing fashion over an associated rim edge of a bowl attachment secured to the hookah pipe.
 2. The pouch assembly as described in claim 1, said foil pouch having a specified shape and size and containing a molasses tobacco exhibiting a specified moisture content.
 3. The pouch assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a support collar about which is supported said perimeter extending and bendable edge, said tobacco containing interior volume being supported upon an inner open diameter associated with said collar.
 4. The pouch assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a three layer foil construction with a generally wafer shaped filtration element being sandwiched between a first lowermost foil layer and a second intermediate foil layer, the volume of tobacco in turn defining a second interiorly sandwiching and three-dimensional interior layer disposed between an opposite surface associated with said intermediate foil layer and a third upper most foil layer.
 5. The pouch assembly as described in claim 2, said tobacco further comprising at least one of dried fruit, natural extracts, and artificial flavorings to produce a varying assortment of tobacco flavors, such as apple, double and triple apple, strawberry, rose, mango, cappuccino, vanilla, coconut, cherry, grape, banana, kiwi, blueberry, tutti-frutti, Arabian coffee, mixed fruit, cola, lemon, apricot, licorice and mint.
 6. The pouch assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a pointed implement for puncturing said upper and lower foil layers.
 7. The pouch assembly as described in claim 6, further comprising a charcoal briquette placed upon said upper foil layer following perforating said foil layers.
 8. The pouch assembly as described in claim 1, said attachment further comprising a bowl shaped with an interiorly open passageway, said pouch being supported upon an upper facing and inwardly concave surface of said attachment and through which are defined a plurality of apertures.
 9. The pouch assembly as described in claim 1, the hookah pipe generally including a glass base partially filled with water to define a lower smoke chamber, an elongated pipe connecting to the base by a tube extending downwardly from an intermediate portion into the base interior and at a location below the water level.
 10. A prepackaged pouch assembly for use in a hookah pipe, comprising: a volume of a tobacco encapsulated between upper and lower foil layers, said tobacco further comprising a molasses tobacco having a specified moisture content which is maintained in airtight fashion between said foil layers; and said foil layers further including a perimeter extending and bendable edge which is adapted to be secured in vacuum sealing fashion over an associated rim edge of a bowl attachment secured to the hookah pipe.
 11. The pouch assembly as described in claim 10, further comprising a support collar about which is supported said perimeter extending and bendable edge, said tobacco containing interior volume being supported upon an inner open diameter associated with said collar.
 12. A prepackaged pouch assembly for use in a hookah pipe, comprising: a three layer foil construction including a lowermost foil layer, an intermediate foil layer, and an uppermost foil layer; a filtration element sandwiched between said lowermost and intermediate foil layers; a volume of tobacco in turn defining a second interiorly sandwiching and three-dimensional interior layer disposed between an opposite surface associated with said intermediate foil layer and a third uppermost foil layer; and a perimeter extending and bendable edge collectively defined upon overlapping said foil layers and which is adapted to be secured in vacuum sealing fashion over an associated rim edge of a bowl attachment secured to the hookah pipe. 